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Founded in the Saxon period, the architecture is mainly Norman following a rebuilding in the 12th century. With Durham and Ely Cathedrals, it is one of the most important 12th century buildings in England to have remained largely intact, despite extensions and restoration. Peterborough Cathedral is known for its imposing Early English Gothic West Front (facade) which, with its three enormous arches, is without architectural precedent and with no direct successor.

Peterborough Cathedral

Founded in the Saxon period, the architecture is mainly Norman following a rebuilding in the 12th century.…

Newstead Abbey, in Nottinghamshire, England, originally an Augustinian priory, is now best known as the ancestral home of Lord Byron. The priory of St. Mary of Newstead, a house of Augustinian Canons, was founded by King Henry II of England about the year 1170, as one of many penances he paid following the murder of Thomas Becket.

Newstead Abbey

Newstead Abbey, in Nottinghamshire, England, originally an Augustinian priory, is now best known as…

The earliest church on the site is believed to have been founded in 627 by Paulinus, the first Archbishop of York, on a visit to the town when he was baptising believers in the River Trent. This legend is commemorated in the Minster's baptistry window. It is considered an outstanding example of Norman and Early English architecture. The distinctive pyramidal spires of lead (or Rhenish caps or "pepperpot" spires as they are known locally), the only example of their kind in the UK, uniquely overlap the footprint of the tower walls and are particularly noteworthy.

Southwell Minster

The earliest church on the site is believed to have been founded in 627 by Paulinus, the first Archbishop…

It is the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark. It has been a place of Christian worship for over 1,000 years, but a cathedral only since 1905. Henry Cardinal Beaufort repaired the church after a 1212 fire. The main structure of the present church was built between 1220 and 1420, making it the first Gothic church in London. Heresy trials occurred in the Galilee chapel in 1555, under Mary I of England.

Choir of St. Saviour's, Southwark

It is the mother church of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark. It has been a place of Christian worship…

A prominent feature of the Edinburgh skyline, St. Giles' Cathedral or the High Kirk of Edinburgh is a Church of Scotland. The church has been one of Edinburgh's religious focal points for approximately 900 years. Today it is sometimes regarded as the mother church of Presbyterianism. St. Giles was only a cathedral in its formal sense (i.e. the seat of a bishop) for two periods during the 17th century (1635–38 and 1661–1689), when Episcopalianism, backed by the Crown, briefly gained ascendancy within the Kirk.

St. Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh

A prominent feature of the Edinburgh skyline, St. Giles' Cathedral or the High Kirk of Edinburgh is…

In the war between King and Parliament (the English Civil War) the city of Hereford fell into the hands first of one party, then of the other. Once it endured a siege, and when it was taken the conquerors ran riot in the cathedral and, in their fury, caused great damage which could never be repaired. In the early years of the 18th century, Bishop Bisse (1712-21), devised a scheme to support the central tower. He also had installed an enormous altar-piece and an oak screen, and instead of restoring the Chapter House he allowed its stones to be utilized for alterations to the Bishop's Palace.

Hereford Cathedral

In the war between King and Parliament (the English Civil War) the city of Hereford fell into the hands…

The Great Fire of London, a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of London from Sunday, 2 September to Wednesday, 5 September 1666, was one of the major events in the history of England. The fire gutted the medieval City of London inside the old Roman City Wall. It threatened, but did not reach, the aristocratic district of Westminster (the modern West End), Charles II's Palace of Whitehall, and most of the suburban slums. It consumed 13,200 houses, 87 parish churches, St. Paul's Cathedral, and most of the buildings of the City authorities. It is estimated that it destroyed the homes of 70,000 of the City's ca. 80,000 inhabitants.

Great Fire of London

The Great Fire of London, a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of London from…

Old St. Paul's is a name used to refer to the Gothic cathedral in the City of London built between 1087 and 1314. At its peak, the cathedral was the third longest church in Europe and had one of the tallest spires. Old St Paul's was completely gutted in the Great Fire of London of 1666, which destroyed the roof and much of the stonework. Temporary repairs were made to the building, but while it might have been salvageable, albeit with almost complete reconstruction, a decision was taken to build a new cathedral in a modern style instead, a step which had been contemplated even before the fire.

Old St. Paul's Cathedral

Old St. Paul's is a name used to refer to the Gothic cathedral in the City of London built between 1087…

In 1522, the priory was surrendered to Cardinal Wolsey, having selected it as a site for his proposed college. However, in 1529 the foundation was taken over by King Henry VIII. Work stopped, but in June 1532 the college was refounded by the King. In 1546, Henry VIII transferred to it from Oseney to the see of Oxford. The cathedral has the name of Ecclesia Christi Cathedralis Oxoniensis, given to it by King Henry VIII's foundation charter.

Oxford Cathedral

In 1522, the priory was surrendered to Cardinal Wolsey, having selected it as a site for his proposed…

The Church of England parish church of St Michael was built in 1293, supposedly to replace a Saxon church at Water Oakley. It has a number of sculptures which may have come from th earlier church, including a damaged Sheela na Gig. It is best known to brass rubbers for housing the superb memorial brass of 1378 to Sir John Foxley, the Constable of Southampton Castle, and his two wives. One of the local cottages has a tunnel which it is believed leads to the church and served as an escape route for clergymen.

Bray Church, Near Maidenhead, Berks

The Church of England parish church of St Michael was built in 1293, supposedly to replace a Saxon church…

Kelso Abbey is a Scottish abbey built in the 12th century by a community of Tironensian monks who had moved from the nearby Selkirk Abbey. The monks constructed the Abbey on land granted to them by King David I. The construction commenced in 1128, and when completed fifteen years later, in 1143, it was dedicated to The Blessed Virgin and Saint John. The importance of the Abbey at that time was shown when King James III of Scotland was crowned at the Abbey in 1460. However, the Abbey's proximity to the border with England led to it suffering damage from cross-border raids. It was first damaged in the Anglo-Scottish wars at the start of the 1300s, but was later repaired by the monks.

Ruins of Kelso Abbey

Kelso Abbey is a Scottish abbey built in the 12th century by a community of Tironensian monks who had…

The Basilica of Saint Peter is located within the Vatican City. It occupies a "unique position" as one of the holiest sites and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom". The Apostolic Palace, also called the Sacred Palace, the Papal Palace or the Palace of the Vatican, is the official residence of the Pope in the Vatican City.

St. Peter's Church and Vatican Palace, Rome

The Basilica of Saint Peter is located within the Vatican City. It occupies a "unique position" as one…

The origins of the cathedral are related to the construction in 445 of stone church on the Druim Saileach (Sallow Ridge) hill by St. Patrick, around which a monastic community developed. The Church was and is the center of the Church of Ireland. The Church itself has been destroyed and rebuilt 17 times. It was substantially restored between 1834 and 1840 by Archbishop Lord John George Beresford and the architect Lewis Nockalls Cottingham.

Armagh Cathedral Choir

The origins of the cathedral are related to the construction in 445 of stone church on the Druim Saileach…

"Chancel" is an architectural term for the space around the altar at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building. It may terminate in an apse. As well as the altar, the chancel usually houses the credence table, and seats for officiating and assisting ministers. In Anglican churches it will usually include the choir. In some traditions, the pulpit and lectern may be in the chancel, but in others these functions are considered proper to the nave.

An Unrestored Chancel

"Chancel" is an architectural term for the space around the altar at the liturgical east end of a traditional…

The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham, commonly referred to as Durham Cathedral, in the city of Durham, England, was founded in AD 1093 and remains a centre for Christian worship today. Durham Castle is a Norman castle in the city of Durham, England, which has been wholly occupied since 1840 by University College, Durham. The castle stands on top of a hill above the River Wear on Durham's peninsula, opposite Durham Cathedral.

Durham Cathedral and Castle

The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham, commonly referred…

The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity is the Anglican cathedral in the city of Bristol, England, and is commonly known as Bristol Cathedral. Founded in 1140, it became the seat of the bishop and cathedral of the new Diocese of Bristol in 1542. The cathedral has much of interest including unique architectural features, unusual memorials and a large historic organ. Bristol Cathedral was founded as St Augustine's Abbey in 1140 by Robert Fitzharding, a wealthy local landowner and royal official. As the name suggests, the monastic precinct housed Augustinian canons.

Bristol Cathedral

The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity is the Anglican cathedral in the city of Bristol,…

Manchester Cathedral is a Medieval church located on Victoria Street in central Manchester and is the seat of the Bishop of Manchester. Although constructed over a period of 600 years, its main architectural style is Perpendicular Gothic, replete with tall windows and flat fan-vaulted ceilings. The interior of the church contains many pieces of period art, notably the medieval woodcarvings of the Ripon Carvers.

Manchester Cathedral

Manchester Cathedral is a Medieval church located on Victoria Street in central Manchester and is the…

Valladolid's Cathedral, also called Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, was designed by Juan de Herrera.

Valladolid Cathedral

Valladolid's Cathedral, also called Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, was designed…

The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original name of Westminster Abbey. Founded by Edward the Confessor when released from his vow to make a pilgrimage to the grave of St. Peter at Rome. It is a large, mainly Gothic church, in Westminster, London, just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English and later British monarchs. It briefly held the status of a cathedral from 1546–1556, and is currently a Royal Peculiar.

Westminster Abbey

The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, which is almost always referred to by its original…

"Lady Chapel of Gloucester Cathedral, England, looking toward the nave." -Whitney, 1911

Gloucester Cathedral

"Lady Chapel of Gloucester Cathedral, England, looking toward the nave." -Whitney, 1911

Christian architecture is Syria diverged from Roman traditions. The abundance of hard stone, the total lack of clay or brick, the remoteness from Rome, led to a peculiar independence and originality in the forms and details of the ecclesiastical as well as of the domestic architecture of central Syria.

Church at Kalb Louzeh

Christian architecture is Syria diverged from Roman traditions. The abundance of hard stone, the total…

Circular and polygonal plans appear in a number of Syrian examples of the early sixth century. Their most striking feature is the inscribing of the circle of polygon in a square which forms the exterior outline, and the use of four niches to fill out the corners. This occurs at Kelat Seman, a small double church, perhaps the tomb and chapel of a martyr; in the cathedral at Bozrah, and in the small domical church of St. George at Ezra. These were probably the prototypes of many Byzantine churches like St. Sergius at Constantinople, and San Vitale at Ravenna.

Cathedral at Bosra

Circular and polygonal plans appear in a number of Syrian examples of the early sixth century. Their…

Hagia Sophia is a former patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. It was the largest cathedral ever built in the world for nearly a thousand years, until the completion of the Seville Cathedral in 1520. The current building was originally constructed as a church between A.D. 532 and 537 on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, and was in fact the third Church of the Holy Wisdom to occupy the site.

Plan of Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia is a former patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. Famous…

Hagia Sophia is a former patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. It was the largest cathedral ever built in the world for nearly a thousand years, until the completion of the Seville Cathedral in 1520. The current building was originally constructed as a church between A.D. 532 and 537 on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, and was in fact the third Church of the Holy Wisdom to occupy the site.

Section of Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia is a former patriarchal basilica, later a mosque, now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. Famous…

"It was in Central France, and mainly along the Loire, that the systematic development of vaulted church architecture began. Naves covered with barrel-vaults, sometimes of pointed section, appear in a number of large churches built during the eleventh and twelfth centuries, with apsidal and transeptal chapels and aisles carried around the apse, as in Notre-Dame du Port at Clermont-Ferrand. The thrust of these ponderous vaults was clumsily resisted by half-barrel vaults over the side aisles, transmitting the strain to massive side-walls."

Section of Notre-Dame du Port

"It was in Central France, and mainly along the Loire, that the systematic development of vaulted church…

"It was in Central France, and mainly along the Loire, that the systematic development of vaulted church architecture began. Naves covered with barrel-vaults, sometimes of pointed section, appear in a number of large churches built during the eleventh and twelfth centuries, with apsidal and transeptal chapels and aisles carried around the apse, as in the imposing church of St. Sernin at Toulouse, in Provence. The thrust of these ponderous vaults was clumsily resisted by half-barrel vaults over the side aisles, transmitting the strain to massive side-walls."

Plan of St. Sernin, Toulouse

"It was in Central France, and mainly along the Loire, that the systematic development of vaulted church…

Sexpartite vault (or six-part vault), in architecture, is a rib vault divided into six bays by two diagonal ribs and three transverse ribs. Legend: a, transverse ribs (doubleaux); b, wall-ribs (formerets); c, groin-ribs (diagonaux). All the ribs are semi-circle.

Sexpartite Ribbed Vault, Showing Two Compartments with the Fillings Complete

Sexpartite vault (or six-part vault), in architecture, is a rib vault divided into six bays by two diagonal…

A bay is a module in classical or Gothic architecture, the distance between two supports of a vault or the unit of an opening and its framing on a façade.

Bay of Speyer Cathedral

A bay is a module in classical or Gothic architecture, the distance between two supports of a vault…

The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St. Cuthbert of Durham, commonly referred to as Durham Cathedral, in the city of Durham, England, was founded in AD 1093 and remains a center for Christian worship today. It is generally regarded as one of the finest examples of a Norman cathedral and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with nearby Durham Castle, which faces it across Palace Green, high above the River Wear.

Plan of Durham Cathedral

The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St. Cuthbert of Durham, commonly referred…

The transept is the area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform ("cross-shaped") building in Romanesque and Gothic Christian church architecture. The transept separates the nave from the sanctuary, whether apse, choir, chevet, presbytery or chancel. The transepts cross the nave at the crossing, which belongs equally to the main nave axis and to the transept.

One Bay of Transept, Winchester Cathedral

The transept is the area set crosswise to the nave in a cruciform ("cross-shaped") building in Romanesque…

Very few examples remain of important Norman façades in their original form, nearly all of these having been altered after the round arch was displaced by the pointed arch in the latter part of the twelfth century. Iffley Church is a good example of the style.

Front of Iffley Church

Very few examples remain of important Norman façades in their original form, nearly all of these…

Constructive system of a Gothic church illustrating the principles of isolated supports and buttressing.

Constructive System of a Gothic Church

Constructive system of a Gothic church illustrating the principles of isolated supports and buttressing.

La Sainte-Chapelle (English: The Holy Chapel) is a Gothic chapel on the Île de la Cité in the heart of Paris, France. It is perhaps the high point of the full tide of the rayonnante period of Gothic architecture.

Plan of Sainte Chapelle, Paris

La Sainte-Chapelle (English: The Holy Chapel) is a Gothic chapel on the Île de la Cité…

A flying buttress, or arc-boutant, is a specific type of buttress usually found on a religious building such as a cathedral. They are used to transmit the horizontal thrust of a vault across an intervening space (which might be an aisle, chapel or cloister), to a buttress outside the building. The employment of the flying buttress means that the load bearing walls can contain cut-outs, such as for large windows, that would otherwise seriously weaken them. Flying buttresses are often found in Gothic architecture.

Early Gothic Flying Buttress

A flying buttress, or arc-boutant, is a specific type of buttress usually found on a religious building…

A ribbed vault of the English type with divided groin-ribs and ridge-ribs.

English Style Ribbed Vault

A ribbed vault of the English type with divided groin-ribs and ridge-ribs.

A: Penetrations by small semi-circular vaults sprung from same level. B: Intersection by small semicircular vault sprung from higher level; groins form wavy line. C: Intersection by narrow pointed vault sprung from same level; groins are plane curves.

Vaults, Penetrations and Intersections

A: Penetrations by small semi-circular vaults sprung from same level. B: Intersection by small semicircular…

With the growth in size of the windows and the progressive suppression of the lateral walls of vaulted structures, stained glass came more and more generally into use. It stimulated the increase in the size of windows, and the suppression of the walls, and contributed greatly to the development of <em>tracery</em>. Its evolution can be traced from the simple coupling of twin windows under a single hood-mould or discharging arch (shown here), to the florid network of the fifteenth century.

Plate Tracery, Charlton-on-Oxmore

With the growth in size of the windows and the progressive suppression of the lateral walls of vaulted…

A Rose window (or Catherine window) is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window, but is especially used for those found in churches of the Gothic architectural style and being divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery. The name "rose window" was not used before the 17th century and according to the Oxford English Dictionary, among other authorities, comes from the English flower name rose.

Rose Window, Church of St. Ouen, Rouen

A Rose window (or Catherine window) is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window, but…

The facade of a large church or cathedral, often referred to as the West Front, is generally designed to create a powerful impression on the approaching worshipper, demonstrating both the might of God, and the might of the institution that it represents. Central to the facade is the main portal, often flanked by additional doors. There may be much other carving, often of figures in niches set into the mouldings around the portals, or in sculptural screens extending across the facade. Both internally and externally, the stonework is often richly decorated with carvings, particularly the capitals.

Early Gothic Carving

The facade of a large church or cathedral, often referred to as the West Front, is generally designed…

A groin vault or groined vault (also sometimes known as a double barrel vault or cross vault) is produced by the intersection at right angles of two barrel vaults. The word groin refers to the edge between the intersecting vaults; cf. ribbed vault. Sometimes the arches of groin vaults are pointed instead of round. In comparison with a barrel vault, a groin vault provides good economies of material and labour. The thrust is concentrated along the groins or arrises (the four diagonal edges formed along the points where the barrel vaults intersect), so the vault need only be abutted at its four corners.

Groined Vault with Zig-Zag Ridge-Joints

A groin vault or groined vault (also sometimes known as a double barrel vault or cross vault) is produced…

A bay is a module in classical or Gothic architecture, the distance between two supports of a vault or the unit of an opening and its framing on a fa&ccedil;ade.

Bay of Abbey of St. Denis

A bay is a module in classical or Gothic architecture, the distance between two supports of a vault…

A French Gothic capital from Sainte Chapelle in Paris from the thirteenth century. The capitals were tall and slender, concave in profile, with heavy square or octagonal abaci. After the middle of the thirteenth century the carving became more realistic; the leaves, larger and more mature, were treated as if applied to the capital or moulding, not as if they grew out of it.

French Gothic Capital

A French Gothic capital from Sainte Chapelle in Paris from the thirteenth century. The capitals were…

A fourteenth century capital from transept of Notre Dame, Paris. The capitals were tall and slender, concave in profile, with heavy square or octagonal abaci. After the middle of the thirteenth century the carving became more realistic; the leaves, larger and more mature, were treated as if applied to the capital or moulding, not as if they grew out of it.

French Gothic Capital

A fourteenth century capital from transept of Notre Dame, Paris. The capitals were tall and slender,…

A fifteenth century capital from the north spire of Chartres. The capitals were tall and slender, concave in profile, with heavy square or octagonal abaci. After the middle of the thirteenth century the carving became more realistic; the leaves, larger and more mature, were treated as if applied to the capital or moulding, not as if they grew out of it.

French Gothic Capital

A fifteenth century capital from the north spire of Chartres. The capitals were tall and slender, concave…

A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. A wimperg is a German and Dutch word for a Gothic ornamental gable with tracery over windows or portals, which were often accompanied with pinnacles. It was a typical element in Gothic Architecture especially in cathedral architecture. Wimpergs often had crockets or other decorative elements in the Gothic style. The intention behind the wimperg was the perception of increased height.

Openwork Gable, From Front of Rouen Cathedral

A gable is the generally triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof. A wimperg…

Lichfield Cathedral is situated in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. It is the only medieval English cathedral with three spires. Architecturally, the choir (alt. spelling quire) is the area of a church or cathedral, usually in the western part of the chancel between the nave and the sanctuary (which houses the altar). A bay is a module in classical or Gothic architecture, the distance between two supports of a vault or the unit of an opening and its framing on a fa&ccedil;ade.

One Bay of Choir, Lichfield Cathedral

Lichfield Cathedral is situated in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. It is the only medieval English…

The English treated woodwork with consummate skill. They invented and developed a variety of forms of roof-truss in which the proper distribution of the strains was combined with a highly decorative treatment of the several parts by carving, moulding, and arcading. The ceiling surfaces between the trusses were handled decoratively, and the oaken open-timber ceilings of many of the English churches and civic of academic halls are such noble and beautiful works as quite to justify the substitution of wooden for vaulted ceilings.

Roof of Nave, St. Mary's, Westonzoyland

The English treated woodwork with consummate skill. They invented and developed a variety of forms of…

The Catholic Cathedral of Limburg, also known as <em>Georgsdom</em> or <em>Limburger Dom</em> in German (English: Cathedral of St. George) after its dedication to Saint George, is one of the most accomplished buildings of the late Romanesque style. A bay is a module in classical or Gothic architecture, the distance between two supports of a vault or the unit of an opening and its framing on a fa&ccedil;ade.

One Bay of Limburg Cathedral

The Catholic Cathedral of Limburg, also known as Georgsdom or Limburger Dom in German…

The Elisabeth Church in Marburg was built by the Order of the Teutonic Knights in honor of Elisabeth of Hungary. Her tomb made the church an important pilgrimage destination in the late Middle Ages. The building is now a Protestant church.

Section of Elisabeth Church, Marburg, Germany

The Elisabeth Church in Marburg was built by the Order of the Teutonic Knights in honor of Elisabeth…

The Cathedral of St Martin (Italian Duomo) is a church in Lucca, Italy. It was begun in 1063 by Bishop Anselm (later Pope Alexander II). Of this structure, the great apse with its tall columnar arcades and the fine campanile remain. A bay is a module in classical or Gothic architecture, the distance between two supports of a vault or the unit of an opening and its framing on a fa&ccedil;ade.

One Bay, Nave of Lucca Cathedral

The Cathedral of St Martin (Italian Duomo) is a church in Lucca, Italy. It was begun in 1063 by Bishop…

The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is the cathedral church (Duomo) of Florence, Italy, begun in 1296 and with major construction completed in 1436. The basilica is notable for its dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, its exterior facing of polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by white.

Section of the Dome of Duomo, Florence

The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is the cathedral church (Duomo) of Florence, Italy, begun in 1296…

Stuntney is about a mile and a half outside the cathedral city of Ely. Oliver Cromwell lived here for several years after inheriting the position of local tax collector in 1636. His former home dates to the 16th century and is now used by the Tourist Information Office as well as being a museum with rooms displayed as they would have been in Cromwell's time.

The Cromwell House at Stuntney

Stuntney is about a mile and a half outside the cathedral city of Ely. Oliver Cromwell lived here for…

Ely Cathedral (in full, The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Ely) is the principal church of the Diocese of Ely, in Cambridgeshire, England, and the seat of the Bishop of Ely. It is known locally as "the ship of the Fens", because of its prominent shape that towers above the surrounding flat and watery landscape.

Ely Cathedral

Ely Cathedral (in full, The Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Ely) is the principal…

The Nave of Bourges Cathedral in France showing the sexpartite vaulting, divided into six parts.

Sexpartite Vaulting

The Nave of Bourges Cathedral in France showing the sexpartite vaulting, divided into six parts.

The "clearstory window of St. Leu d'Esserent, France" showing a sexfoil window, of six petals. -Whitney, 1911

Clerestory

The "clearstory window of St. Leu d'Esserent, France" showing a sexfoil window, of six petals. -Whitney,…

Most famous of the Buddhist caves is a chaitya hall (chandrashala) or 'Vishwakarma cave', popularly known as the 'Carpent Indiaer's Cave'. Beyond its multi-storeyed entry is a cathedral-like stupa hall also known as chaitya, whose ceiling has been carved to give the impression of wooden beams. At the heart of this cave is a 15 foot statue of Buddha seated in a preaching pose.

Buddhist Cave Temple at Ellora, Interior

Most famous of the Buddhist caves is a chaitya hall (chandrashala) or 'Vishwakarma cave', popularly…

This Lectern Relief is details shown from a cathedral in Limoges, France.

Lectern Relief

This Lectern Relief is details shown from a cathedral in Limoges, France.

This Lectern Relief is details shown from a cathedral in Limoges, France.

Lectern Relief

This Lectern Relief is details shown from a cathedral in Limoges, France.

This Lectern Relief is details shown from a cathedral in Limoges, France.

Lectern Relief

This Lectern Relief is details shown from a cathedral in Limoges, France.

The Libreria Cluster is a fruit Festoon design found in the Cathedral of Siena, Italy during the Italian Renaissance.

Libreria Cluster

The Libreria Cluster is a fruit Festoon design found in the Cathedral of Siena, Italy during the Italian…